The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 GS Paper-III reaffirmed what La Excellence has always stood for — rigorous preparation rooted in analytical depth, not guesswork. A detailed analysis shows that a remarkable 13 out of 20 questions in the official paper had either a direct (full) match or a partial thematic overlap with the RRP (Core Batch) tests.
At La Excellence, we emphasize integrity and transparency. Our mapping is based on verifiable overlaps between UPSC’s actual questions and RRP’s test series. We don’t inflate claims; instead, we show how RRP prepares aspirants with the right intellectual framework, enabling them to answer with confidence in the exam hall.
👉 These overlaps demonstrate how RRP questions didn’t just “cover topics” but trained aspirants to think along the exact analytical lines UPSC eventually demanded.
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GS PAPER-III Full Matches (11 Questions)
Global Trade & Protectionism (Q2):
UPSC’s framing on challenges of protectionism directly resonated with RRP’s test on U.S. tariff policies and implications for India’s trade strategy.
Agri Supply Chain (Q4):
A direct reflection of RRP’s focus on agri-export bottlenecks and reforms, which captured the supply chain dimension comprehensively.
Clean Energy & Biotechnology (Q6):
UPSC’s energy independence vision found near-identical treatment in RRP’s biofuels and energy security question.
Seawater Intrusion (Q8):
Coastal ecosystem questions from RRP covered the ecological challenges that UPSC asked under seawater intrusion.
Left Wing Extremism (Q10):
RRP’s detailed analysis of Naxalism and governance failures matched UPSC’s question on elimination and people’s impact.
PLI Scheme (Q12):
Both RRP and UPSC highlighted PLI’s rationale, achievements, and the road to improvement.
Groundwater Depletion (Q13):
RRP’s multiple tests on aquifer decline and biodiversity impact directly anticipated UPSC’s groundwater depletion framework.
Food Processing (Q14):
UPSC’s employment angle and RRP’s focus on doubling farmers’ income through food processing industry reforms aligned closely.
Semiconductor Mission (Q16):
UPSC’s emphasis on India’s semiconductor ambitions and ISM’s features was directly mirrored in RRP’s test on shifting geographies of chip hubs and India’s policy response.
Northeast Insurgency & Peace Process (Q19):
UPSC’s demand for mapping peace accords and challenges was covered by RRP’s tests on tribal nationalism, exclusion, and the Free Movement Regime, which directly addressed insurgency drivers and peace architecture.
Maritime Security (Q20):
RRP’s test on maritime vulnerabilities, coastal defence, and institutional synergy mapped squarely onto UPSC’s focus on safeguarding sea trade and coastal security challenges.
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In some cases, the overlap was thematic rather than verbatim. Even here, RRP primed aspirants with the right background knowledge and frameworks:
- High-Value Crops (Q3): UPSC focused on factors behind crop choice, while RRP tested makhana cultivation challenges. Both required understanding economic viability, regional variations, and policy supports influencing farmer choices.
- Fiscal Health Index (Q11): UPSC sought application of FHI, whereas RRP emphasized state revenue powers and fiscal federalism. Both demanded nuanced analysis of state finances and sustainable fiscal management.
👉 These partial matches prove the RRP advantage — even when UPSC’s wording differed, aspirants trained in RRP’s analytical drills had the mental readiness to tackle them.
Here is the Proof!!!!
| UPSC MAINS 2025 GS PAPER-3 | Questions from La Excellence RRP tests |
| Q2. What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks | Test-10 Q1 — “How do recent U.S. tariff policies reflect changing global trade dynamics, and what are their implications for India’s economic interests and trade strategy?” |
| Q4. Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks | Test-14 .. Q4 — “India’s agri-export growth has stagnated despite abundant production. Examine the key structural and policy bottlenecks behind this trend. How can reforms make agri-exports more competitive, diversified, and farmer-centric?” |
| Q6. How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks | FLT-24 Q9. Biofuels are seen as a strategic option to enhance India’s energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Analyse their potential and the key challenges in scaling up their adoption. |
| Q8. Seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks | GS1 Grand Test Q.16 How is climate change transforming India’s coastal ecosystems, and what are the ecological, economic, and governance challenges in ensuring their sustainable management? |
| Q10. The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it? What measures have been taken by the government to eliminate LWE? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks | Test-22 Q4 — “India’s security and development efforts have reduced Left-Wing Extremism-related violence, yet persistent socio-economic and governance failures continue to fuel discontent… evaluate the state’s response to Naxalism and suggest reforms for a sustainable resolution.” |
| Q12. Discuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | Siksha Test-5 Q6. Examine how Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and recent industrial reforms seek to strengthen India’s manufacturing sector and foster employment-intensive growth, especially for MSMEs. |
| Q13. Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | Test 36 .-Q2 –. How does overexploitation of groundwater influence biodiversity in dryland and forest ecosystems of India? Substantiate with suitable regional examples. Test 35 Q3. – Declining aquifer levels across several Indian regions point to deep-rooted ecological and policy challenges. Identify the underlying drivers of this crisis and assess the spatial variation in its intensity. |
| Q14. Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | Full Test-24 Q12 — “In what ways can India’s food processing industry serve as a catalyst for doubling farmers’ incomes and promoting sustainable agricultural growth? Analyse its transformative potential and the key structural constraints it faces.” Grand test 3 ..Q15 – How can scaling value addition across India’s food processing sector enhance farmer incomes, reduce post-harvest losses and position the country as a competitive player in sustainable agri-based industries? |
| Q16. India aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | Test 35 – Q4- The geography of chip production is undergoing rapid transformation amid shifting global priorities. Examine the changing spatial configuration of semiconductor hubs and assess the drivers behind the rise of new manufacturing centres. |
| Q19. What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | Test-22 Q3 — “How have developmental exclusion and competing tribal nationalisms together shaped the insurgent landscape in India’s Northeast?” Test-23 Q2 — “How the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border impacts internal security and insurgency in India’s Northeast… measures.” |
| Q20. Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | Test-23 Q1 — “Growing maritime vulnerabilities have widened the scope of internal security threats in India. Discuss the nature of these risks and propose measures to enhance coastal defence and institutional synergy.” |
GS PAPER-III Partial Matches (2 Questions)
Partial Mismatch:
| Q3. Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks | GS-3 Grand TestQ4. Makhana cultivation holds considerable promise for enhancing farm incomes, but its growth is constrained by systemic and regional challenges. Discuss the opportunities, the obstacles, and the measures required to realise its full potential. |
| Q11. Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks | GS Test – 5Q“‘The autonomy of States to generate and utilise resources is essential to their economic health and development.’ Discuss the issues and challenges related to revenue-raising powers of States in India and the implications of these on fiscal federalism.” |
The analysis of UPSC CSE Mains 2025 GS Paper-III reaffirms that La Excellence’s (RRP Tests ) is not about chasing predictions but about preparing aspirants in a disciplined, analytical, and UPSC-oriented manner.
With 13 out of 20 questions showing direct or partial overlap, the value of practicing RRP questions becomes evident. More importantly, our strength lies in honesty and integrity — we highlight only genuine matches, never exaggerations. For aspirants, the lesson is clear: consistent practice with RRP equips you with the skills, confidence, and clarity needed to face the toughest exam in the country.
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